I want to put some information out here so it is readilly available. Like everyone else I've been following the Swift Boat Controversy and while I've avoided commenting on it to see how things shake out, I have noted a number of missatements made in conversations on the topic, in the media, in person and in the blogosphere.

All information here can be verified in AR 600-8-22, the Army Regulation governing Military Awards.

Purple Heart--I've heard a number of people saying that the Purple Heart cannot be awarded for friendly fire or self-inflicted wounds. This, while not expressly incorrect, is not accurate. Self-inflicted wounds, if sustained in the "heat of battle" do qualify but even then, if the wound is sustained as a result of negligence, it is not a qualifying wound. Wounds from friendly fire are qualifiying if the fire was released with the intent of doing injury to the enemy.

Silver Star--This is a newly breaking story, so this information is preemptive in nature. The Chicago Sun-Times in reviewing the military record of John Kerry on kerry's campaign website found reference on Senator Kerry's DD-214 (Separation form Service) to his Silver Star medal. It indicates a Silver Star with combat "V" device. The Sun-Times makes the following statement:

Naval regulations do not allow for the use of a "combat V" for the Silver Star, the third-highest decoration the Navy awards. None of the other services has ever granted a Silver Star "combat V," either.

This is true, but its not a good explanation. It isn't a matter of how Silver Stars are awarded, its a matter of why. Some awards, like the Bronze Star can be awarded for Valor (that's what the V stands for) which by regulation has combat--engagement with the enemy--as a requirement. However the Bronze Star can also be awarded for Merit, or actions not performed under fire. The way these conditions are distinguished is by award of the medal with the V device.

The reason that the Silver Star is never awarded with the V device is that it is by regulation a combat decoration. It can only be awarded for valor and not for merit. The distinction is unnecessary.

I'll go one better than Mr. Reynolds. Here's the full transcript of Kerry's Senate speech in which he recalls being in Cambodia in 1968. It's a great read.

Kerry was AWOL from Cambodia. So was O'Neil. Where was Bush? Where was Cheney?